Cup break brings Ealing more joy

Ealing Trailfinders took a break from their so-far flawless league campaign to secure a place in the second round of the EDF National Trophy with a 33-14 win away at Bournemouth of South West One on Saturday.

EALING Trailfinders took a break from their so-far flawless league campaign to secure a place in the second round of the EDF National Trophy with a 33-14 win away at Bournemouth of South West One on Saturday.

Showing 13 changes to the side that played against Lydney the previous week, Ealing were made to work hard for the win by a determined Bournemouth team looking to put one over a club from a higher division.

The first half was a scrappy and disjointed affair with neither side able to maintain possession or territory for long enough to apply any pressure.

But it was Ealing who drew first blood - Kiba Richards opening the scoring from turnover possession on halfway after 10 minutes.

The visitors moved the ball quickly and centre Neil Brown broke through and offloaded for Richards to cross unopposed.

Two minutes later and Simon Bundy scored Ealing's second, rounding off a move that started from the kick-off. Neville Edwards made the telling break before passing to

Joe Hardy who drew the last defenders and gave Bundy an easy run in.

Peter Hodgkinson kicked both conversions as Ealing took a 14-0 lead.

Bournemouth hit back straight away with a penalty by winger Mike Pope when Ealing were penalised at the restart.

A break by hooker Dan Cawley set up Pope's second penalty and the winger notched a third before the break as Ealing's error and penalty count rose to send the home side in only 14-9 down.

Buoyed by the close score-line, Bournemouth started the second half brightly and started to apply pressure on the Ealing scrum, twice stealing ball against the head.

But Ealing weathered the early storm and, following a short range lineout after Bournemouth were penalised for going off their feet at a ruck, Bundy bagged his second try to calm visiting nerves. Hodgkinson kicked the conversion.

The score seemed to relax Ealing, who started to play with more authority as the game progressed, playing the game almost exclusively in the Bournemouth half.

Captain Ryan Gregory added a fourth try for Ealing, picking up from the base of a 5m scrum to drive over. Again Hodgkinson added the extras to put Ealing 28-9 ahead.

And Bundy completed his hat-trick after Ealing strung together a period of quality rugby. First a break by hooker Scott Hodson put the defenders on the back foot before a series of quick rucks gave Bundy a run to the line.

Bournemouth were rewarded for their persistence with the try of the game, capping off a lung-busting spell of end to end rugby.

It looked like Ealing would score a sixth try when fly-half Joe Price directed a crossfield kick towards the corner. But the ball arrived in the hands of the excellent Pope and he broke up the left and found support on half-way to beat the last defender and sub Andy Spikings completed the move.

This weekend, Ealing travel to Rugby Lions in National Three South, before the crucial home game against London Scottish next Sunday (November 2, 2pm).

The day will feature a live band, kids' attractions, a magician and a bouncy castle. Entry is free for members and U16s, non-members pay £7. See www.ealingrugby.co.uk .